With water treatment plants running at full capacity, Mayor Naheed Nenshi announced new mandatory restrictions on outdoor water usage on Saturday.

It’s hoped that Calgary residents and businesses will comply with the order that prevents them from using tap water to do things like wash outdoor surfaces, water the lawn or clean their cars. Automatic sprinkler systems should be shut off.

The water treatment plants are running at capacity and the mayor said Calgarians are being asked to help out.

“There’s so much sediment and silt and what we call carbon compounds — that means things that used to be alive ... mostly plants, don’t get scared — that it really is important for the (water treatment) plants to catch up,” said Nenshi.

Water collected from rain barrels can be used for any purpose.

Some facilities — such at child care, restaurants and animal care places — can still use outdoor tap water and it can also be used for health and safety reasons.

The city is also asking that people restrict their water use indoors.

“I’m telling you you don’t have to do your laundry. Don’t run the dishwasher unless you absolutely have to. Limit your showers to as short as you can,” said Nenshi.

“And folks, we’re all going to have dirty cars for a while.”

The mayor re-iterated that the water is safe to drink and there is no need to hoard water.

He said access to clean, safe drinking water is always a priority.

“A billion people in the world don’t have that privilege and we’re working hard to make sure that Calgarians will continue having that privilege.”

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